PORTUGAL YET TO DECIDE ON CANDIDACY OF DAVID

UNCLAS LISBON 002765 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UN PREL AORC PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL YET TO DECIDE ON CANDIDACY OF DAVID WALKER FOR UN INDEPENDENT AUDIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (IAAC) REF: A. SECSTATE 149678 ¶B. STATE 146857 ¶1. (U) Pol-econ officer delivered reftel demarche to MFA International Organizations Officer Pedro Pinto on October 22 and called to follow up on October 29. Pinto responded that Portugal recognizes our keen interest in seeing Mr. Walker elected to this committee but had not decided yet which candidate it would support. Pinto promised to advise Post as soon as Portugal finalizes its decision later this week. ¶2. (U) As a follow-up, Pinto took the opportunity to reiterate Portugal's candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council in 2011-2012 and again request U.S. support. Pol-econ officer confirmed that Washington was aware, and had recently met with the Portuguese Ambassador in Washington to discuss Portugal's candidacy. We reiterated our policy not to reveal our voting preferences. Hoffman